EP!!!!

Today we received the wonderful news that Kai has his EP (emigration permit)!! This does not mean his travel is imminent, however, it is one BIG step towards getting him home. The last few weeks have been really difficult for us, we've anxiously been awaiting an updated well baby report, and checking the mail box daily for our I-600 approval (USCIS approval). So earlier today, in a desperate attempt for ANY information, I broke down and called our social worker. She called back saying she was just about to call us with this great news! (Must have been my mother's intuition kicking in) It was really something I was not expecting to hear, and so, so happy we can now check this off our list. Now we're just waiting on OUR government...

No girls allowed!

Kai's room is finally starting to take shape and look like a boy's room. Joe was a little concerned when we painted it pale yellow and white (stripes) how we were going to "boy it up", if we got matched with a boy. See for yourself, I think we've done a pretty good job. (FYI- the dresser and toy chest are a darker blue, but they appear black in some of the pictures.) We do need a little more decor on the walls, but here's what it looks like for now.

Home Sweet Home

Books desperately in need of a bookshelf!


View coming through the door

View through Kai's eyes

(Any excuse to show off my adorable puppy!) By the way, Willie already seems to be embracing his role as a big brother. We have found him a few times lying beside the crib, and this weekend, while we were working in there, he was lying under it! He's gonna be a good brother!

HEY EUGENE!!!

Last night we had the pleasure of enjoying an evening of music by Pink Martini. It was especially fun as they are on tour for their newest album, "Hey Eugene". Joe's parents came from Portland to attend the concert with us. If you've ever heard Pink Martini, you are no doubt a fan. It took us all of one song to fall in love with them (of course it helped that it was their title track from this album-Hey Eugene). A little over a year ago, we were flipping through TV channels, and came upon an OPB special they were doing. It just so happened that this was the exact moment they were talking about and performing "Hey Eugene" (see video clip below). Needless to say, when they performed this song last night, the crowd went wild! (By the way, we do realize this song is not about our city.) Their style is indescribable, but my best description would be jazz/latin/classical. Their lead singer is fluent in several languages, and most songs are sung in French, Spanish, Japanese or English. This was our second time seeing them perform live, and it never ceases to amaze me that they can totally captivate an audience, even when we have no idea what the song is about. They do, however, do a very good job of telling us the "plot" of songs they sing in other languages. They truly do have creativity and originality that is hard to find these days. I've found a couple of clips and posted them in below- hope you have a few minutes to watch!

Bonding & Attachment

I'm happy to report that we've come to the point in our adoption journey to begin thinking about bonding and attachment. From what I've learned, it's not much different than bonding with a biological child, except for the obvious fact that it's not happening at birth (at least not for us). Because of this, some things we do, or requests we have, may seem strange. For this reason, I wanted to share some information with our family and friends, to help you all understand the differences and know why we're doing what we're doing. I have been searching the internet for helpful resources, and stumbled across this page from Adoptive Parents magazine. I will also attach the link on our side bar for easy access in the future. (In case you're wondering, this does not mean we have "news")

Singing the blues...

So, we've got a major case of the "travel call blues" goin' on here. I am absolutely dying for an update on Kai! I can't believe that we've heard nothing since our referral. Holt always says "No news is good news", meaning if he were sick or something we would know immediately, so at least I have that reassurance. But still, even an updated well baby check or something!! I am really hoping we'll at least get a new picture after he gets our package (which should be sometime this week). Those who know me, know I try not to be the jealous type, but a few minutes ago on the Holt board I was reading a post about a family that received an update today, and it nearly brought me to tears! This poem was posted on the Holt board yesterday by another waiting Mom. I can identify with every single line...perhaps it can give some insight into how I'm feeling.

Oh Lord, all we need is our travel call,
This process has been such a long haul!

Our sweet little one is growing and changing,
While we have been at home rearranging.

We pray everyday that he is getting the best care,
While we search the internet for the cheapest air fare.

At this point I hope I recognize his sweet precious face,
I am sure that getting to the airport will be quite the race.

Please Korea call us this week with good news,
Otherwise this mom will continue to sing the blues.

I know, it's kinda silly, but so stinkin' true!
Well, thanks for letting me vent a little...hoping and praying for some good news this week!
RA

Then & Now

This month we come upon the 5 year anniversary of adopting Willie into our family. He has always been a Daddy's boy, from nearly the first moment of meeting us. (Although, he does know who to run to for protection...that would be me) I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. The first one is from (I'm pretty sure) Willie's first night at our house. The second one was just a couple days ago. Not much has changed, just the size of the dog!!
RA

7 months ago...4 weeks ago...

Seven months ago our lives were unknowingly changed forever when your sweet little boy was born, far away in South Korea. Four weeks ago our lives were knowingly changed forever when we were matched with him. I have to say, although all this waiting is thoroughly the pits, the last 4 weeks have gone by surprisingly fast! And, as I look at the calendar, and try to comprehend all that still needs to occur until we're ready for him, I think the next 6 weeks or so will fly by as well! I'm certain that we will come to a point, when all the preparations have been made, that time will start crawling by at a snail's pace. But, for now we're keeping quite busy, and it's flyin' by! Two praises for today: the first, a big one- I might have someone at work to cover my maternity leave! It's not totally official, but it's lookin' pretty darn good. The second (not quite so big), is that Kai's package is in the mail, and was about $15 less to send than I anticipated! Hopefully this means what started out as a crazy week, will end on a very good note! Oh, and only 10 days until Pink Martini!!

Care package

The box is sealed, the letter is translated, and tomorrow, Kai's care package will be on it's way to Korea!! We tried to keep it small, for customs it needs to be under a certain $ value or else Holt Korea or the foster family could have to pay (don't want that!!); but it certainly was hard. I just kept telling myself, "He will be home soon, then we can lavish him with gifts". I can already tell he's going to be one spoiled little boy! Gifts for Kai include a couple outfits, some socks (he didn't have any on in his referral photo, I want to be sure his little feet are warm), a blanket that we've slept with (I thought the airplane one was just perfect), and a "baby proof" photo album with pictures of us in it. Gifts for the foster Mom are a travel size lotion of my favorite scent, and a lip gloss. We also included a pocket calendar of OR, and some note cards that I made from photos we've taken. Oh, and we're sending a disposable camera in hopes it will be returned full of photos of Kai in Korea. We're not "technically" supposed to be sending him anything, so hopefully we won't get in trouble. How can we NOT send gifts to our son? We may never know whether or not he actually receives it, but just sending it makes it all seem more real. The ultimate pay-off would be updated pictures of him with our package!!
RA

Remembering Grandma Ruth

Last Sunday, Sept. 2, my family endured a great loss when my dear Grandma Ruth went to be with the Lord. She had been in a coma for a few days, and went peacefully in her sleep. On her last day on earth, my mom, dad, brother and I spent nearly the whole day by her bedside, along with visitations from Grandpa, my uncle and his family, and a few of her dearest friends. Although we were told she was totally unresponsive, we felt she knew we were there, and we all took comfort in that.
Yesterday there was a memorial service in her honor. It was a very nice service, with all of our family, and her life-long friends present.
I will always remember all the fun times Dan and I spent with Grandma and Grandpa while we were growing up. From simple over-nights at their house, to big holiday dinners, to many camping trips in their RV. Now that I am grown, I see how regular interaction with grandparents is not the norm in many families, but it always has been in ours. A tradition that I intend to pass along to the next generation.
So please, keep our family in your prayers over the coming months as we grieve our loss.
Thanks for checking in-
RA

Rose of Sharon

Thought I'd put up a few pictures of our Rose of Sharon (national flower of Korea), now that it's in bloom. Enjoy!
RA

Freaking out!!

(The following is a prime example of why my husband does not like me looking on the Holt Web Forum!)
There is a (Holt) family on the forum that posted today that they have received their travel call after 6 weeks! That is, they were matched with their baby 6 weeks ago, and now he is cleared to leave Korea! They are going to get him next week! Yikes! I know this is very out of the ordinary, and highly unlikely to happen again, but what if it does?? Are we ready for Kai to come home in as little as a month?? The obvious answer is: YES! But then the practical side of me takes over with all the reasons why we're not. The biggest one being, I have no coverage at work for my maternity leave (and for all those interested, yes, I get 12 weeks, just like I've given birth!). Guess we better get cracking on that one! (For all those anxiously waiting grandparents and aunts and uncles out there- I repeat, this is highly unlikely to happen again) Well, sorry no "real news" to report. Stay tuned, though...you never know when IT could happen!
RA